This past year, all of our lives took a hiatus. The COVID-19 pandemic started, and everything we knew and our everyday routines drastically changed. We switched to an online learning format, talked to loved ones over the phone, and had many sports, clubs, and events canceled or postponed. Now, we are slowly getting back to our normal, pre-COVID routine, and while this is exciting for many of us, it can be a difficult adjustment.
Go Easy on Yourself
When adjusting to anything new, it is probably going to get frustrating at times. You might feel like you are falling behind, not being productive enough, or start feeling worn out. The good news is that is okay! Being hard on yourself for maybe taking slower to adjust than anticipated is not going to help anything. Forgive yourself and cut yourself some slack – we have spent the past year and a half in a global pandemic.
With that, it’s important to also give yourself rest days. Pick a day out of the week to set aside an hour or two to do whatever you desire. Whether that is buying yourself a coffee, watching your favorite T.V. show, or picking up your favorite book, do it. Giving yourself a break to refuel IS being productive.
Establish a Routine and Stick to it
Routines help us stay organized and put our weeks into perspective. When we have a routine and plan to follow, we are less likely to feel overwhelmed. So go buy that cute, overpriced planner that you didn’t think you would use, and start planning out your days. This will help you better adjust to your new busier schedule.
Fuel your Body!
If we want to keep our energy up, we need food! Food is fuel! It can be difficult to find time some days to fit our three meals in, but they need to be a priority if we want to stay healthy and energized. Get those greens in, drink your smoothies and fill your body with what will make you feel good!
It is important that we take the time to be kind to ourselves and one another. We’ve all been through a lot. Take it easy on yourself!